Nature Day Camp Junior Counselor

Join a team of creative, energetic professionals who work together to connect children with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. Chippewa Nature Center is in search of Junior Camp Counselors with a passion for making a difference in the lives of children by providing powerful, dynamic programs in the outdoors. Junior Counselors will assist with teaching and supervising day campers from preschool to 9th grade, including children with special needs. They will help to support a variety of activities in the areas of field ecology, historic farm life, sensory awareness, wildlife studies and nature crafts. Canoeing, kayaking and overnight camping trips are also included for some programs. Campers attend programs from 9:30 am until 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. Over the course of the summer, Junior Counselors will assume increased responsibility for the planning and implementation of camp programming.

Objective: To assist the Counselors to develop and implement programming of predetermined camps to support and strengthen campers’ relationships with the natural world.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supervise campers, ensuring their safety and well-being
2. Help the teaching team plan and teach daily lessons following the goals and objectives for each program
3. Follow and enforce all camp policies, rules and regulations
4. Provide first aid to campers according to camp policy
5. Communicate regularly with Counselors and the Leadership Team
6. Help organize and direct parents and campers on the first day of camp
7. Provide a Monday orientation for middle and high school volunteers [Counselors-in-Training (CITs)]; organize and supervise CITs during lunchtime activities, including recycling and games
8. Participate in pre-camp and on-going trainings
9. Other duties as assigned by the Camp Director or Assistant Director

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with children in a formal setting (camp, after school programs, scouts, sports, etc.)
• Experience and desire to work in an outdoor setting
• First aid and CPR certifications (or ability to become certified)
• Valid chauffeur’s license (can be obtained after hire)
• High school diploma or GED
• Physically able to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to work varied hours, including some evenings

Preferred Qualifications:

• Natural science knowledge
• Experience teaching in an outdoor setting
• Knowledge of local natural resources (ecology, identification of birds, plants, etc.)
• Camping, canoeing and kayaking skills

Schedule: Paid staff training: May 30-June 6 and July 5-7. Camp sessions run June 7 through August 11, with no camp July 3-4.

https://www.chippewanaturecenter.org/employment